What is an ACO?

• A Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

What’s An Accountable Care Organization (ACO)?

• ACOs are groups of doctors and other health care providers who voluntarily work together with Medicare to provide you with high quality service and care at the right time in the right setting.
• Your doctor has agreed to participate in a Medicare Shared Savings ACO and to work closely with other doctors and health care providers in the ACO to coordinate care for Medicare beneficiaries with traditional Medicare, like yourself.
• The ACO may share in any savings to Medicare that result from providing you with high quality, and better coordinated care.

ACOs Don’t Change Your Medicare Benefits

• An ACO is not a Medicare Advantage plan or an HMO plan.
• If you have traditional Medicare, you still have the right to use any doctor or hospital who accepts Medicare, at any time.
• Your ACO doctor may continue to recommend that you see particular doctors for your specific health needs, but it’s always your choice about which doctors you use or hospitals you visit.

How Will An ACO Help My Doctor Coordinate My Care?

• You benefit because your doctors will be part of a well coordinated team.
• You may not have to fill out as many medical forms that ask for the same information.
• Each of your doctors will have a more complete picture of your health through coordinated, effective communication with your other doctors.